A sombre uni gets on with life

Scrawled in spray paint across a Monash University billboard yesterday were the words: "Life is short. Cherish your friends. Love one another. R.I.P."

Students heeded the message, with classmates quietly gathering in groups. They comforted one another as they scanned the morning's newspapers.

Staff chatted quietly on level six of the Menzies Building - the scene of the tragedy - while a security guard stood nearby.

As flags flew at half-mast, a steady stream of floral tributes built up at the base of the building.

While some accompanying cards expressed sympathy, others had only questions: "How can this happen? In my own uni? Our classrooms. Why? How could you?"");document.write("

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Students arriving for another day of classes were subdued, unsure of whether their classes would continue as scheduled.

Third-year commerce and economics student Wayne Blumenthal learnt that his early-morning lecture had been cancelled, as lecturer Lee Gordon-Brown was one of the wounded.

"Like the vice-chancellor said, you can't stop these things from happening," Mr Blumenthal said. "But you just become more cautious of everyone."

But a 9am statistics lecture by Brett Inder, who helped hold down the alleged gunman until security arrived, went ahead.

"It was really brave of him to come to the lecture in the morning - the day after that," said second-year commerce student Belinda Gan said. "He was pretty upset, you could tell in his voice."

On campus, priests consoled students at the multi-faith chapel, security guards roamed the corridors and university staff handed out pamphlets on stress.

Since Monday, about 200 staff and students had called the Monash community services' helpline, while 60 had asked for counselling.

Second-year commerce student Rene Chan wondered whether to attend a counselling session after she found herself taking a lift to class yesterday, rather than use the escalator and pass the sixth floor.

And when she walked into the tutorial, the 21-year-old from Vermont South claimed the desk closest to the door. "It was kind of strange," Ms Chan said. "I guess I thought if anything was to happen I could get away quickly."

While some students were anxious, others stayed away, including friends of second-year commerce student Angela Chai.

"They don't feel safe and not just that, they don't feel like it's appropriate to keep going as though nothing has happened," the 19-year-old from Clayton said.

A university memorial service is planned for Friday, while the Monash Student Association has organised a barbecue today to brighten spirits.